Tool For Creating Deer Scrape

ABSTRACT

A tool for creating a deer scrape comprises a substantially planar body portion having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of extensions extending from the second surface, wherein the plurality of extensions cooperate to form a white-tailed deer hoof print. The tool further includes a handle extending from the planar body portion, a serrated edge located along a length of the handle, a substantially flat scraping edge located along the length of the handle, and at least one prong located at an end of the handle and extending angularly therefrom.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/797,053, filed May 3, 2006, entitled 4 IN 1 SCRAPE MAKER, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for attracting deer, andin particular a tool for creating a deer scrape.

Various hunting techniques and luring methods are utilized to attractgame into a particular area to assist in the harvest thereof. One suchspecies that has gained wide popularity in hunting circles in NorthAmerica includes the white-tailed deer. The techniques used to attractwhite-tailed deer into a particular area are numerous and include thingssuch as antler rattling, grunting and/or calling, scent masking, scentattraction, etc.

While being somewhat effective, many of these techniques lack theability to precondition white-tails to return to a given area in asomewhat repeatable manner. Specifically, many of thesepreviously-applied techniques relate to attracting game at the time ofharvest, as opposed to setting a pattern for the game and theirmannerisms prior to that particular time. Moreover, others of thesetechniques do not necessarily raise the hunter's odds of harvesting ananimal, and are susceptible to personal ability and technique.Therefore, an effective way of preconditioning whitetails, andespecially bucks, to return to a particular location on a repeatedbasis, thereby increasing the odds of harvest is desired.

The present inventive tool provides a mechanism for which to attractwhite-tailed deer and induce particular mannerisms therein, therebygreatly increasing the chances of harvesting the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a tool for creating adeer scrape that comprises a substantially planar body portion having afirst surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and aplurality of extensions extending from the second surface, wherein theplurality of extensions cooperate to form a white-tail deer hoof print.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a tool forcreating a deer scrape that comprises a substantially-planar bodyportion having a first surface, a second surface opposite the firstsurface, and a plurality of extensions extending from the secondsurface, wherein the plurality of extensions cooperate to form awhite-tailed deer hoof print. The tool further comprises a handleextending from the planar body portion, a serrated edge located along alength of the handle, a substantially-flat scraping edge located alongthe length of the handle, and at least one prong located at an end ofthe handle and extending angularly therefrom.

The present inventive tool is relatively durable, relatively inexpensiveto manufacture, includes an uncomplicated design, and may be operated byeven unskilled personnel. The present inventive tool is furtherefficient in use, capable of a long-operating life, and is particularlywell adapted for the proposed use.

These and other advantages of the invention will further understood andappreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the followingthe written specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a tool for creating a deer scrapeembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tool of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the tool of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

The reference numeral 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a tool forcreating a deer scrape, or a deer scrape tool, embodying the presentinvention. In the illustrated example, the deer scrape tool 10 includesa body portion 12 and a handle 14 extending therefrom. The body portion12 includes a rectangular planar portion 16 having a first surface 18and a second surface 20 opposite the first side 18. A plurality ofprojections 22 extend from the second surface 20 of the planar portion16. In the illustrated example, the projections 22 include twoforwardly-located projections 24 each having the shape of a white-taileddeer hoof, and two rearwardly-located projections 26 each having theshape of the dew claw of a white-tailed deer. Also as illustrated, eachof the projections 22 extend approximately three quarters of an inchfrom the second surface 20 in order to allow sufficient placement of anartificial deer print within an aggregate matter, as discussed below.

The handle 14 of the deer scrape tool 10 extends from the body portion12 in an acute angle with respect to a plane as defined by the planarportion 16. The handle 14 includes a gripping portion 28 having aplurality of recesses 29 adapted to receive the fingers of a usertherein spaced along the length of the handle 14. The handle 14 furtherincludes a substantially flat scraping edge 30 extending along a lengthof the handle 14. The scraping edge 30 provides an edge that is utilizedto create mock rubs, as described below. Opposite the scraping edge 30,the handle 14 include a serrated edge 32 that includes a plurality oftriangularly-shaped teeth 34 extending along the length of the handle14.

The deer scrape tool 10 further includes a rake portion 36 located at anend of the handle 14 opposite the body portion 12. The rake portion 36includes a pair of conically-shaped prongs 38 extending angularly awayfrom the handle 14, and juxtapositioned across the handle 14 from oneanother.

In operation, the deer scrape tool 10 is utilized to create an entirefaux scrape, including a licking limb, a ground scrape, a white-taileddeer print, and a mock rub. The licking limb is prepared by utilizingthe serrated edge 32 of the deer scrape tool 10. A licking limb is thecommon name given to a branch that a white-tailed buck chews prior tomaking a ground scrape. The branch is typically four to five feet fromground level and is set apart from other branches. Commonly, the groundlocated directly below the licking limb is fairly loose, therebyallowing the buck to prepare a proper scrape. The licking limb isprepared by stripping the bark from the limb by running the serratededge 32 along the length of the limb, thereby simulating the chewingeffect of the buck.

The two-pronged rake portion 36 is then utilized to prepare the groundscrape. Specifically, the rake portion 36 simulates the splayed hoof ofa buck as the buck digs at the ground to create the ground scrape. Inoperation, the rake portion 36 is utilized to scratch the surface of theground located below the licking limb. Once the ground has been preparedto a depth of approximately two inches, the hoof print patterned fromthe projections 22 is utilized to create a faux white-tail hook printwithin the ground scrape. Specifically, the user grips the grippingportion 28 of the tool 10 within one hand placing the thumb of that handbetween the rearward projections or dew claw-shaped projections 26. Theuser then places their other hand in the shape of fist on the first side16, and presses downward so as to press the projections 22 into theprepared dirt, thereby forming a faux white-tailed deer print.

The scraping edge 30 may then be utilized to create mock rubs on treesand brush in the vicinity of the licking limb and ground scrape.Specifically, the scraping edge 30 of the tool 10 is utilized to removesmooth bark from smooth bark trees ranging in diameter from about 1 to 5inches. Utilized properly, the scraping edge 30 allows the bark toremain attached to the associated tree.

In the illustrated example, the deer scrape tool 10 comprises a single,integrally-molded plastic unit. However, other methods and materialssuitable for such use may be utilized.

The present inventive tool provides a mechanism for which to attractwhite-tailed deer and induce particular mannerisms therein, therebygreatly increasing the chances of harvesting the same.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodimentonly. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in theart and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it isunderstood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described aboveis merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scopeof the invention, which is defined by the following claims asinterpreted according to the principles of patent law, including thedoctrine of equivalents.

1. A tool for creating a deer scrape, comprising: a substantially planerbody portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite thefirst surface; and a plurality of extensions extending from the secondsurface, wherein the plurality of extensions cooperate to form awhitetail deer hoof print.
 2. The tool of claim 1, further including: ahandle extending from the planer body portion.
 3. The tool of claim 2,wherein the handle includes a plurality of depressions located along alength of the handle and that are adapted to configure to a users hand.4. The tool of claim 2, wherein the handle includes a serrated edgelocated along a length thereof.
 5. The tool of claim 2, wherein thehandle includes a substantially flat scraping edge located along alength thereof.
 6. The tool of claim 2, wherein the handle includes atleast one prong located at an end thereof and extending angularlytherefrom.
 7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the at least one prongincludes a first prong and a second prong juxtapositioned from oneanother across the handle.
 8. The tool of claim 6, wherein the handlefurther includes a serrated edge located along a length thereof.
 9. Thetool of claim 8, wherein the handle further includes a substantiallyflat scraping edge located along the length thereof and juxtapositionedacross the handle from the serrated edge.
 10. The tool of claim 9,wherein the handle includes a plurality of depressions located along thelength of the handle and adapted to configure to a users hand, andwherein the depressions are positioned between at least of one of theserrated and scraping edges and the body portion.
 11. The tool of claim1, wherein the planar body portion is rectangularly shaped.
 12. The toolof claim 1, wherein the plurality of extensions are hollow.
 13. The toolof claim 1, wherein the extensions extend at least three quarters of aninch from the second surface.
 14. A tool for creating a deer scrape,comprising: a substantially planer body portion having a first surface,a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality ofextensions extending from the second surface, wherein the plurality ofextensions cooperate to form a whitetail deer hoof print; a handleextending from the planer body portion; a serrated edge located along alength of the handle; a substantially flat scraping edge located alongthe length of the handle; and at least one prong located at an end ofthe handle and extending angularly therefrom.
 15. The tool of claim 14,wherein the at least one prong includes a first prong and a second prongjuxtapositioned from one another across the handle.
 16. The tool ofclaim 14, wherein the handle includes a plurality of depressions locatedalong the length of the handle and adapted to configure to a users hand.17. The tool of claim 16, wherein the depressions adapted to configureto a users hand are positioned between at least of one of the serratedand scraping edges and the body portion.
 18. The tool of claim 14,wherein the planar body portion is rectangularly shaped.
 19. The tool ofclaim 14, wherein the plurality of extensions are hollow.
 20. The toolof claim 14, wherein the extensions extend at least three quarters of aninch from the second surface.